For what it's worth. I believe the following writers (and writing) exhibit a true mastery of the craft. Brilliant storytellers. Compelling stories. All the right words in all the right places. These are my heroes, my touchstones, my inspiration. For what it's worth.
Favorite Novelists
Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird is the holy grail. Perfect.
Elmore Leonard. Effortless and efficient. He writes the way we talk.
Richard Russo. Characters so real they're on my Christmas card list.
Favorite Songwriters
Van Morrison
Bob Dylan
Elvis Costello
Favorite Screenplays
Almost Famous (Cameron Crowe)
Breakfast at Tiffany's (Truman Capote via George Axelrod)
Memento (Christopher Nolan)
Favorite Writing for Television
The West Wing. Jumped the shark when writer Aaron Sorkin bailed.
Lost. It's all about the flashbacks. Character, baby.
The Simpsons. Homer's wedding vows include the words: "In quiet solitude or blasting across the alkali flats in a jet-powered, monkey-navigated hovercraft." I'm sorry. That's just good writing right there. | 
